Chapter 122: Let Go

Zheng Fa was practicing the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan."

The "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" was a technique he had long heard of.

The Jiushan Sect was now divided into two rival branches.

If Zhang Shijie's branch's foundational cultivation technique was the "Character Path Foundation Method,"

then Pang Shu's branch's foundational cultivation technique was the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan."

He already understood the marvels of the "Character Path Foundation Method"; without it, his cultivation would not have progressed so swiftly, nor would he have gained any supernatural abilities in the modern world.

The "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan," famed alongside the "Character Path Foundation Method" and rumored to have no flaws, naturally filled him with high expectations.

He took out the thousand-year purple bamboo tear given to him by Pang Shu.

Just from the name, Zheng Fa had assumed it was a liquid.

But what Pang Shu gave him were actually four transparent solids, resembling slightly purplish crystal.

Zheng Fa pressed one thousand-year purple bamboo tear against his right eye, channeling spiritual energy from his palm into the crystal.

The crystal formed from the thousand-year purple bamboo tear began slowly melting, turning into a warm stream that seeped into his eye socket; his right eye first felt warmth, then a slight stinging pain.

As time passed, the stinging grew sharper and deeper—it felt as if someone were delicately, leisurely carving patterns onto his eyeball with a surgeon's scalpel.

It filled him with pain and a touch of fear.

Had Pang Shu not recorded the corresponding process in the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan," he might have suspected he was going blind.

Only after two incense sticks had burned did the crystal in his palm exhaust itself; the excruciating pain receded like a tide, leaving behind a faint coolness on his eyeball.

Zheng Fa opened his eyes, touched his forehead and collar, and the dampness confirmed how intense his suffering had been.

It made him consider resting for two days before practicing on his left eye.

But the changes in his right eye after practicing the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" made him feel the pain had been worth it.

Standing before the mirror, Zheng Fa saw a faint silver glow flickering within his right eye as he activated the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan."

Even stranger—he saw a different world.

When he activated the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" and looked out the window, objects a hundred meters away appeared as if right before his eyes.

And the world before him seemed clearer.

Or rather, more complex.

He saw again the glyph-patterns drifting through space.

But what surprised Zheng Fa was that the glyph-patterns were no longer isolated.

In his previous observations, these "little fish" had seemed to swim independently, darting randomly with little connection to one another.

But after practicing the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan," he saw faint lines connecting some of the glyph-patterns.

Some glyph-patterns had these lines between them; others did not—there was no discernible pattern.

In the jade cylinder recording the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan," Zheng Fa read Pang Shu's sighing words:

"Many say Yuanfu are limited, yet most have never even seen what a glyph-pattern truly looks like."

Thinking of those words, and looking at the glyph-patterns now revealing more secrets to him,

Zheng Fa began to understand Pang Shu's mindset—many who know more become more despairing of humanity's ability to comprehend the world, including many scientists.

Perhaps the glyph-patterns revealed by the perfected "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" had seemed incomprehensible to True Person Pang, leading him to doubt that cultivators could ever fully decipher them.

But to Zheng Fa, the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" and the "Yuanfu Foundation Method" were not in conflict—they were like a pair made by heaven and earth.

According to Pang Shu's records, the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan" had three realms: Observing Qi, Entering the Minute, and Penetrating the Void.

Observing Qi enhanced vision, allowing one to see great distances and observe the flow and nature of spiritual energy in empty space.

In the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan," Pang Shu wrote that reaching this realm granted overwhelming advantage in battle, even enabling one to spot flaws in an opponent's spellcasting.

The "Entering the Minute" realm received little description in the "Cave Dong Xu Ling Yan."

But from the literal meaning, it likely enhanced the cultivator's ability to observe microscopic phenomena.

As for Penetrating the Void,

Pang Shu said nothing at all, only that it was nearly impossible to achieve before the Nascent Soul realm.

Zheng Fa mentally organized his thoughts.

Observing Qi—telescope, perhaps with some analytical function?

Entering the Minute—microscope, possibly even electron-microscope level.

As for Penetrating the Void, there was too little data to understand.

But the idea of training the eyes into laboratory instruments sparked endless imagination in Zheng Fa—the importance of observation instruments to science was self-evident.

Thinking of this, Zheng Fa gritted his teeth and took out another thousand-year purple bamboo tear.

…

At Zhang Shijie's home, Zhang Shijie was still working on the exercises Zheng Fa had given her.

Yuan Shijie was chattering as usual.

The two had lived this way for decades, and it had become second nature.

But today, Yuan Shijie suddenly said, mid-sentence: "I feel something's off."

Zhang Shijie's brush paused; she didn't look up, only spoke softly: "What's off?"

Yuan Shijie glanced around the study, then at Zhang Shijie, thought for a moment, then suddenly said: "Someone's missing! Zheng Shidi hasn't come!"

Zhang Shijie gave her a light look and said nothing.

"Zheng Shidi used to come every day to play with you… I mean, to discuss the 'Character Path Foundation Method' with you. Hasn't he been coming these past two days?"

"He's just become a disciple."

Zhang Shijie explained softly.

"Disciple?" Yuan Shijie frowned: "That old man took a disciple and locked himself in his room to study storybooks, saying he's going to write a masterpiece… How could he possibly have time for Zheng Shidi?"

"..."

"Senior Sister Zhang, don't you find it strange?"

"I don't." Senior Sister Zhang put down her brush and said softly, "Before, Junior Brother Zheng was considered one of our branch; now he belongs to the Sect Master, so naturally things are different."

"How is it different?"

"... Before, when he came, it was because I could give him protection and resources, could teach him the 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method', and even grant him authority over the market. Now that he is the Sect Master's disciple, he naturally no longer needs these things."

Senior Sister Zhang said with a calm expression.

"Senior Sister... are you saying Zheng Fa is an ungrateful person? That he climbed a high branch and forgot you?" Senior Sister Yuan widened her eyes and asked, somewhat surprised.

"He doesn't owe me anything; the Five Elements Talisman was something he told me about, so it can't be called ungrateful." Senior Sister Zhang shook her head gently: "People move upward; it's human nature. Haven't we seen many such people over the years?"

"..." Senior Sister Yuan's expression was still not very happy, as if she was a bit angry at Zheng Fa.

"Actually, it might not be that he is unwilling to come, but rather that he is considering Junior Uncle Pang." Senior Sister Zhang suddenly said.

"Ah?"

"I thought about it earlier: why did Junior Uncle Pang insist on taking Zheng Fa as his disciple?" Senior Sister Zhang explained, "Probably because Zheng Fa's performance was too outstanding, making Junior Uncle Pang worry about the safety of his branch. Now, if Zheng Fa were to associate closely with me again, I fear Junior Uncle Pang would worry even more."

Senior Sister Yuan listened, feeling confused, as if she didn't quite understand.

"Zheng Fa is now the Sect Master's disciple. If he comes to find me every day, will Junior Uncle Pang think the Sect Master is also favoring our branch? Breaking the balance within the sect is not a good thing—now that external threats have appeared, there can be no internal strife."

Senior Sister Zhang had to explain in detail.

Senior Sister Yuan nodded; only then did she understand.

But after a while, she suddenly spoke again: "Senior Sister Zhang... why did you suddenly come up with so many reasons?"

"..."

Senior Sister Yuan suddenly realized: "You aren't used to it either! If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to beg..."

"It's better than becoming Junior Uncle Pang's disciple." Senior Sister Zhang scolded, "At least we are not enemies now, Senior Sister Yuan. You should try to be more open-minded."

"I just don't have the same open-mindedness as you, Senior Sister!"

Senior Sister Yuan muttered.

She sat on a chair nearby, said nothing, puffed out her cheeks, as if sulking.

"Senior Sister Zhang! Senior Sister Yuan!"

A voice came from the doorway.

Zheng Fa walked quickly into the room, then stopped in his tracks, looking at his own attire.

"Why are both Senior Sisters looking at me like that? Is there something improper about me?"

"Why have you come again?"

Senior Sister Yuan snorted lightly.

Zheng Fa didn't understand what the word "again" meant, and didn't even notice the dissatisfaction in Senior Sister Yuan's tone.

He smiled and said, "A few days ago, Junior Uncle Pang summoned me and even bestowed upon me the Millennium Purple Bamboo Tears!"

Hearing him say this, Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister Yuan exchanged a glance, their faces showing confusion.

"When did Junior Uncle Pang become so generous?"

"I haven't finished yet!" Zheng Fa said with a smile, "Junior Uncle Pang bestowed enough for two people! I brought one portion for you, Senior Sister Zhang!"

With a microscope, how could one forget the laboratory?

Senior Sister Zhang, I'm shearing Junior Uncle Pang's wool to feed you!

"... For me?"

Senior Sister Zhang was stunned, looking at Zheng Fa with a particularly complex expression.

"Yes, enough for two people; I have already used one portion." Zheng Fa explained, "These past two days, I have been cultivating this 'Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye' technique. This cultivation technique is indeed extremely marvelous and will surely be of great use to the 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method'. The other portion is just right for you, Senior Sister Zhang, to use."

Even without discussing the potential help to Talisman Dao research after reaching the Subtle or Void-Piercing realms in the future.

Just the realm of observing Qi alone is enough to greatly enhance a person's combat power.

Seeing Senior Sister Zhang staring at him without speaking for a long time, Zheng Fa couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Senior Sister Zhang, you..."

Senior Sister Zhang suddenly smiled.

How to describe this smile? —Warmth returning after cold, ice melting and snow thawing.

Senior Sister Yuan, standing nearby, looked at Zheng Fa, then at the smiling Senior Sister Zhang.

She grinned, as if feeling cloyed, and muttered softly, "Be more open-minded? Pfft!"

Senior Sister Zhang took the two pieces of Millennium Purple Bamboo Tears and suddenly said, "In a couple of days, take the 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method' to Junior Uncle Pang."

"Ah?"

Zheng Fa was stunned, not knowing why she would say that.

He had never thought of this before. The 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method' mostly belonged to Senior Sister Zhang; although he practiced it, he had no intention of passing it on to others.

"Junior Uncle Pang said earlier that he wanted to exchange the Millennium Purple Bamboo Tears for the 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method'. Now that you have received this Millennium Purple Bamboo Tears, although it is a gift from an elder, he might still feel uncomfortable deep down."

"Yes."

Zheng Fa had also thought of this point.

At that time, Junior Uncle Pang's expression clearly showed great reluctance.

"If you take the 'Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method' to him, Junior Uncle Pang will feel that you understand the big picture. In the future, as the Sect Master's disciple, you will also need his support."

"Support?"

Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Zhang, suddenly feeling there was more to her words than met the ear.

"Senior Sister, you...?"

Senior Sister Zhang looked at the two Millennium Purple Bamboo Tears in her hand and smiled, "At least in public, you must show impartiality towards our two branches, understand?"

Zheng Fa also stared at these two pieces of thousand-year purple bamboo tear.

No way—just these two things, could make Sister Zhang care for him so much?

This is blatant support for him to become the future Jiushan Sect leader.

If I'd known, why even bother competing, Master Pang?

Why not just uproot the thousand-year purple bamboo and send it over?